Metallurgy



Dec. 19, 1961 Filed Feb. 8, 1960 E. E. HAJEK ETAL METALLURGY 3Sheets-Sheet l INVENTORQ ERNEST E. HAJEK DONALD K. MONTEZ Dec. 19, 1961E. E. HAJEK ETAL 3,013,788

METALLURGY Filed Feb 8, 1960 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR ERNEST E. HAJEKDONALD MONTEZ A RNEY Dec. 19, 1961 E. E. HAJEK ETAL METALLURGY 5Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Feb. 8, 1960 INVEN TOR ERNEST E. HAJEK DONALD K.MONTEZ A ORNEY Patented Dec. 19, 1961 3,013,783 lidE'llALLURQ-Y ErnestE. Hajek, Richmond, Donald K. Montez, Qakland,

and Hiya L. Krettinger, San Francisco, Calif., assignors to Henry J.Kaiser Company, @akland, Caiif., a corporation of Nevada Filed Feb. 8,19M, Ser. No. 7,274 13 Qlairns. (Ell. 266-34) This invention relates toconnecting and disconnecting fluid conduit means. More particularly,this invention relates to a device for connecting and disconnecting aplurality of fluid conduits without the necessity of separatelyconnecting and disconnecting each individual conduit.

In many industrial processes, it is necessary to provide apparatusinvolving the use of fluid conduits and wherein means for connecting anddisconnecting said conduits are required. For example, in recent yearsoxygen or oxygenenriched air has been reacted with a molten pig ironcharge by means of a tube or lance which is introduced into the highlyheated interior of a vessel or furnace. Such lances are presently usedin the open hearth steel refining process for decreasing the time ofrefining and in the steel refining processes wherein oxygen oroxygenenriched air is used as the primary refining means to develop theheat necessary for refining by oxidation of the impurities in the moltenmetal. During the refining oper ation in the latter-mentioned processes,the nozzle of the lance may be either submerged below the molten metalsurface or be located above the surface. One example of such a processis the LD process wherein the molten metal surface is blown with oxygenas set forth in US. Patent No. 2,800,631. As will be apparent, thelances employed in such operations are subjected to extremely hightemperatures which deleteriously affect the life and service thereof.For example, in the LD process the lance introducing oxygen oroxygen-enriched air into the interior of the furnace is subjected totemperatures on the order of 2500 to 3000" F. To withstand thesetemperatures, the lance is subjected to cooling by a fluid medium,usually water.

in its basic form, a lance of the type described comprises a pluralityof relatively long conduits of progressively varying diameters arrangedin coaxial relationship. A center conduit provides a passage wherebyoxygen, which is introduced in the upper end of the lance, travels theentire length thereof and is discharged into the furnace during therefining process. A cooling fluid jacket comprising a second and a thirdconduit in coaxial relation ship with the central conduit is of suchsize as to form two separate concentric spaces within the lance. Thesespaces being connected at their lower ends permit fluid, which isintroduced into one of said spaces at the upper end of the lance, toflow downward to its lower extremity, enter the other of said spaces andreturn to the upper end at which point it is piped to a further point ofdisposal.

As mentioned hereinbefore, the fluid employed for such purpose isusually water which is employed to protect the lance from the effects ofextreme heat to which it is subjected while in service. Each time afurnace begins a further cycle of operations the lance, which haspreviously been hoisted out of and clear of the furnace, must again belowered into position in order to perform its function. The distancethrough which the lance is hoisted and its other movements incidental toits normal operation will make it apparent that the furnishing of oxygenand cooling fluid to the lance requires the use of flexible hosesarranged with loops making the over-all length of relatively largemagnitude. Due to the extremely adverse conditions under which theyoperate, the service life of these lances is limited and periodicreplacement is generally required. Up to the present time the task ofchanging lances has been accomplished by lifting the lance and itsattached fluid supply hoses from its hoist by an auxiliary hoist. Theattached hoses then must be separately and individually disconnectedbefore the lance can be removed from the immediate vicinity forrebuilding and necessary maintenance work. Although means ofdisconnecting are provided for each of the three hoses, the cumbersomenature of these elements, due to their relatively heavy weight, longlength and limited flexibility, renders a lance changing operation atime consuming and extremely arduous task.

Accordingly, its is the purpose of this invention to provide an improvedmeans for connecting and disconnecting a plurality of fluid conduits andparticularly fluid conduits for supplying processing apparatus such as aliquid jacketed lance for treating molten metal with a gas and/or othermaterial and wherein the necessity of separately connecting anddisconnecting each individual conduit is eliminated.

The various advantages of the invention will become more apparent from areview of the following detailed description when taken in conjunctionwith the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIGURE 1 is a fragmentary, elevational view of a device embodying theprinciples of this invention as applied to an oxygen lance for a steelrefining operation when suspended from a suitable supporting means.

FIGURE 2 is an enlarged fragmentary, elevational view of the device ofFIGURE 1 illustrating the position assumed by the two separableassemblies thereof upon unbolting. 1

FIGURE 3 is an enlarged fragmentary, elevational view of the separableassembly at the right of FIGURE 2 when viewed in the same direction asFIGURE 2.

FIGURE 4 is a fragmentary, elevational view of the separable assembly ofFIGURE 3 when viewed from the right of FIGURE 3.

FIGURE 5 is an enlarged elevational view of the separable assembly atthe left of FIGURE 2 when viewed from the same direction as FIGURE 2.

FIGURE 6 is an elevational view of the separable assembly shown inFIGURE 5 when viewed from the left of FIGURE 5.

Referring to the drawings, in which the same reference numerals havebeen applied to like parts in the various views, it will be observedthat the device of the instant invention includes a pair of separableassemblies 1 and 2.

With reference more particularly to FIGURES 3 and 4, it will be seenthat when the device of this invention is applied for the connection ofsupply hoses or fluid conduits to an oxygen lance, assembly 1 includesthe oxygen lance 4, a suitable framework 5 and a flange 6. Framework 5comprises a pair of elongated members 7 arranged in confrontingrelationship with each other. At one end 8 thereof, the members 7 have areverse curved configuration to provide space for flange 6.

At the ends 9, opposite ends 8, members 7 are connected to a lancealignment means such as a removable box-like structure 10 comprising apair of side members 11 in confronting relationship with each other andwhich are secured by means of bolts 12 to the inner surfaces of themembers 7. Side members 11 are symmetrical with respect to the centerlines of members 7 and extend beyond the edge thereof. A pair of plates13 disposed in a direction transverse to members 11 are affxed at theirends to side members 11 by suitable means such as welding. The plates 13are provided with centrally located circular lance receiving openings14, are parallel with one another and are connected to each other byribs 15 suitably afiixcd at their ends to plates 13. Thus, elements 11,13 and form the aforementioned box-like structure it which when securedin place by means of the bolts 12 maintains the members 7 in correctspaced relationship, ensures true alignment of the lance 4 which passesthrough openings 14 thereby ensuring true alignment of the lance 4 inthe assembled position.

It is preferred that the portion 16 of lance 4 which is disposed abovestructure it when framework 5 and lance 4 are suspended in the verticalposition, have a diameter larger than that of openings 14 therebypreventing portion 16 from passing through opening 14 whereby the lancemay be supported in the vertical position by box-like structure lid andframework 5.

A pair of lugs 17 having apertures 18 therein are atlixed to members 7and extend laterally outward therefrom.

The end of framework 5 opposite that to which structure it, is aflixedincludes a pair of bifurcated members 19 and 29 of a generally invertedU-shaped configuration spaced apart and in confronting relationship withone another. Bifurcated members 19 and 28 are arranged symmetricaliyabout a vertical median line and diverge in a direction toward box-likestructure 10. The confronting divergent ends 21 and 22 of members 19 and26 are connected in pairs by two members 23 which abut and are aflixedto the ends 21 and 22 of members 19 and 2G by suitable means such aswelding and extend beyond said members. The divergent ends 21 and 22 andmembers 23 are affixed to the ends 8 of members 7 by suitable means suchas welding.

The converging portions 25 and 26 of bifurcated members 3.9 and areconnected by an element 27 which extends across the space between saidmembers and is affixed at its ends to the inside faces of said members.A suitable supporting means such as a lifting shackle 28 for engagingframework 5 with the hook of an independent maintenance or auxiliarylifting and lowering means (not shown) is aflixed to one end offramework 5, i.e. the converging portions and 26 of both bifurcatedmembers 19 and 2t}.

Extending downwardly from the outer edges of the members 23, and towhich they are aflixed by suitable means, are a pair of elongatedmembers 31. Members 31 are disposed parallel to members 7, are spacedapart therefrom and at their lower ends are bent inwardly and aifixed tomembers 7. Suitable ribs 32 and 198 are aflixed to members 32 and 7 toprovide increased rigidity of the assembled framework 5.

A pair of horizontal pins 33 having aligned axes provided withconcentric bushings 34 slidably mounted thereon are mounted in alignedapertures 35 and 36 defined within vertical members 31 and 7 on eitherside of framework 5 with the axes of pins 33 transverse to thelongitudinal dimension of framework 5 and parallel to the face 37 offlange 6. Pins 33 are held in place by keeper plates 33 which engageslots 39 in pins 33. The plates 38 are atiixed to members 31.

Flange 6 is provided with three openings 40, 41 and 42 defined thereinand passing therethrough. An oxygen supply conduit or pipe 43, a waterinlet conduit or pipe 44 and a water outlet conduit or pipe 45 areaflixed at one end thereof to flange 6 in registration or fluid flowrelationship with openings 40, 41 and 42, respectively, whereby theopenings are in open communication with the interiors of the respectivepipes .3, 44 and 45. Flange 6 is also provided with a plurality of boltreceiving apertures 46. A centrally located tapered dowel 47 is affixedto the face 37 of the flange 6 opposite that to which the pipes 43, 44and 45 are aflixed.

The oxygen supply pipe 43 is connected to the lance 4 through aconventional expansion joint 48 by means of flanges 49, 50, 51 and 52amxed, respectively, to the inlet end of pipe 43, both ends of expansionjoint 43 and the inlet end of lance 4. Pipe 43 when connected is in opencommunication with the interior of the gas supply conduit (not shown) oflance 4. The water inlet and outlet pipes 44 and 45 are connected to thejacket 61 of the lance through the respective, conventional expansionjoints 62 and 63 and pipes 64 and 65 which are alhxed to jacket 61. Pipe64 is in open communication with the inner concentric space (not shown)and pipe 55 is in open communication with the outer concentric space(not shown) of thelance.

Referring now more particularly to FIGURES 5 and 6, it will be seen thatassembly 2 comprises a flange 75 which can be characterized by agenerally circular configuration, but having a pair of opposed parallelflat edges '76 and 77 and including openings 78, and 80 defined thereinand passing therethrough adapted for alignment with openings 4%}, 41 and42 in flange 6. An oxygen inlet conduit or pipe 81 and cooling waterinlet and outlet conduits or pipes 82 and 83, respectively, are affixedat one end thereof to flange 75 in registration or fluid flowrelationship with openings 73, 79 and 80 whereby these openings are inopen communication with the interior of their respective pipes 81, 32and 83, and these pipes are so located on flange 75 that they registerwith their respective pipes 43, 44 and 45 when flanges 6 and 75 arejoined in the manner to be described below.

A pair of diametrically opposed elongated plates 34 have one portion ofeach aflixed to opposite peripheries of flange 75. Plates 84 projectperpendicularly away from the joining face 85 of flange 75 in thedirection of pipes 81, 82 and 83 and extend longitudinally with respectto flange 75 beyond one flat edge 77 thereof terminating in a pair ofintegral aligned hooks 87. The open portion of the hooks is directedtoward the face 85 of flange 75 opposite that to which pipes 81, 52. and83 extend. The hooks are adapted to engage pins 33 of assembly 1 in amanner whereby upon engagement and rotation flange 75 is easilypositioned for registration with flange 6 with openings 78, 79 and 80mating with respective openings 4G, 41 and 42. The portions of plates 84which extend beyond edge 77 of flange 75 are parallel to one another.The ends 28 of plates 84 opposite hooks 87 terminate coincident with thehorizontal flat edge '76 on flange 75. At these ends 83 the plates 84are connected by a transverse plate 89 which extends across flat edge 76of flange 75 and is aflixed along one edge thereof to flange 75 and atthe ends thereof to ends 88 of plates 84 by suitable means such aswelding.

Aflixed to flange 75 is a means such as an eye 99, having an elongatedaperture 91 therein for engaging an independent support or suspensionmeans such as hook 2? of the operating lifting and lowering device 3%.Suitable reinforcing ribs 92 can be aflixed to eye and to plate 89 toadd rigidity to eye 90.

A channel-shaped structure 93 extends away from edge 77 of flange '75 inthe direction of pipes 81, 82 and 33, and in the direction of books 87and is affixed to edge 77 of flange 75, plates 84 and to pipes 81, 32and 83. This structure 93, while forming a rigid assembly with itsassociated elements, also forms a trough or receptacle for thereception, at such times as the lance 4 is being changed, of bolts 94-which are used to secure the two separable assemblies 1 and 2 together.

Apertures 95 are provided in flange 75 to match apertures 46 in flange6. Flange 75 is provided with an additional centrally located aperture95 passing therethrough which mates with dowel 47 to ensure bringingabout a proper alignment of flanges 6 and 75 when the assemblies aremoved into operating position.

Pipes 81, 82 and 83 can be provided at their extremities, opposite thoseaflixed to flange 75, with suit able coupling means 97 for connection toother fluid conduits which in the present embodiment of this inventionfor supplying an oxygen lance would be flexible conduits such as hoses98.

Securing the two assemblies together is accomplished in the followingmanner. Through the use of shackle 23 and eye as, together with theirrespective lifting and I lowering means, hooks 87 are removably engagedwith pins 33 and bushings 34 by passing them through spaces 99 betweenmembers 31 and 7 and slightly lowering assembly ll relative to assembly2, the assemblies then being in a position as shown in FIGURE 2 andwherein the angle of flange 75 relative to flange 6 results from thedesigned center of gravity of assembly 2 as will be discussed furtherhereinafter. Thereafter assembly 2 is in effect rotated or pivoted tothe right in order to move flanges 6 and 75 together into essentiallyparallel relationship with dowel 47 passing into aperture 96. Suchrelative movement of the two flanges occurs to a substantial degree byreleasing the supporting effect of the maintenance hoist relative toshackle 2% of assembly ll. By so doing, the entire weight of assembly 1bears on hooks 87 of assembly 2 causing the flanges to move together.

For purposes of ensuring a fluid tight seal a gasket 1% is providedbetween flanges 6 and 75 and preferably is affixed by suitable meanssuch as bonding to one of them, e.g. flange 6 as shown in FIGURES 2 and3, said gasket having openings 1M, 1&2 and 103 which register with theopenings 40, 41 and 42 in flange 6 and the openings '78, 7'9 and 80 inflange 75. The two assemblies are then secured together by introducingbolts 94 through the apertures 46 in flange 6 and apertures 95 in flange75 and in the case of the apertures 46' closest to shackle 28 the bolts94 also pass through bifurcated member 19 and in all cases are engagedby nuts F.6d. Upon tightening of the bolts 94, the two flanges 6 and 75,the bifurcated member 19 and consequently the framework 5 and the entireassemblies 1 and 2 are positively and firmly secured together, form ingin eflect an integral fluid tight unit, the flanges then being inessentially parallel relationship. The nuts we are arranged in pairs andpreferably are aflixed to suitable mounting plates 105 by suitable meanssuch as welding. These plates 105 are re-movably aflixed to bifurcatedmember 19 in the case of the apertures 46 closest to shackle 28 and tothe flange 6 in the case of the other apertures 46. Attachment is madeby means of cap screws 1% which are threaded into tapped openings (notshown) in bifurcated member 19 and flange 6, and alignment is ensured bymeans of dowels 107 and matching apertures (not shown) in bifurcatedmember 19 and flange 6. .This arrangement, while holding the nuts inplace in alignment with the apertures 46 and 95 in the flanges, alsopermits tightening of the bolts 94 from the supply hose flange side,i.e. flange 75, without the use of a wrench to prevent turning of thenuts. It is apparent that the method of securing the flanges may besomewhat simplified as for instance welding bifurcated member 19 toflange 6 and/or providing tapped holes in one or the other of theflanges 6 and 75 there by dispensing with the need for nuts 104.However, the preferred embodiment is anticipatory of contingencies suchas failure through continued usage of such elements as internal screwthreads and therefore the present design is such that any wear which mayresult can be corrected promptly and with minimum replacement of parts.

Preferably, the weight distribution of assembly 2, including the effectof hoses 98, is such that when the lance is in raised positionpreparatory to removal from assembly 2 the center of gravity of saidassembly is located to the left of flange 75, as viewed in FIGURE 1, andat a point resulting in a tendency for flange 75, when in assembledposition, to rotate or pivot to the left about pin 33. At such time as ahook or other means is passed through shackle 28 for support of theassembly independent of assembly 2 and bolts 94 removed, the center ofgravity of assembly 2 immediately causes flange 75 to rotate or pivotaway from flange 6, as shown in FIG- URE 2. The supportmeans forassembly 1 then need only be actuated to raise the assembly slightly inorder for pins 35 to be raised clear of hook 87 and then moved to theright to accomplish complete separation of the assemblies. Normally,assembly 2 and its support means will remain in the same positionawaiting re-connection to assembly 1 or to a standby assembly 1.

From the above description and the accompanying drawings it is apparentthat by employment of the connecting device of this invention thenecessity to separately connect and disconnect individually the long andunwieldly flexible hoses is eliminated thus rendering the task of lancereplacement a relatively simple matter as compared to the prior artpractice.

While there has been disclosed a preferred embodiment of this invention,it should be understood that various modifications may be made theretowithin the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

l. A device for connecting and disconnecting fluid conduit meanscomprising a pair of separable assemblies, the first of said assembliescomprising a first flange provided with at least one openingtherethrough, fluid conduit means affixed at one end thereof to saidfirst flange in registration with said opening, and pin means, thesecond of said assemblies comprising a second flange which is providedwith at least one opening therethrough corresponding to, and adapted foralignment with, the opening in said first flange when the flanges are inessentially parallel relationship, fluid conduit means aflixed at oneend thereof to said second flange in registration with said opening insaid second flange, hook means, said hook means being adapted toremovably engage said pin means of said first assembly in a mannerwhereby said second flange may be rotated away from, and be at an angleto, said first flange or, conversely, rotated to- Ward, and beessentially parallel to, said first flange with said fluid conduit meansbeing in registration, and means for fastening together and unfasteningsaid flanges when in essentially parallel relationship, the center ofgravity of said second assembly being located at a point such that uponunfastening the flanges with the assemblies suspended from independentsupporting means the flange of said second assembly will rotate awayfrom said first flange and the assemblies readily disconnected.

2. A device according to claim 1 wherein said first and second flangeseach are provided with a plurality of openings therethrough, a fluidconduit means affixed at one end thereof to each flange in registrationwith each opening, the location of each opening in one flange being inalignment with an opening in the other flange when said flanges are inessentially parallel relationship.

3. A device for connecting and disconnecting fluid conduit meanscomprising a pair of separable assemblies, the first of said assembliescomprising a first flange provided with at least one openingtherethrough, fluid conduit means aflixed at one end thereof to saidfirst flange in fluid flow relationship with said opening and pin meansin spaced relation to, and below, said first flange, the second of saidassemblies com-prising a second flange provided with at least oneopening therethrough corresponding to, and adapted for alignment with,the opening in said first flange when the flanges are in essentiallyparallel relationship, fluid conduit means atfixed at one end thereof tosaid second flange in fluid flow relationship with said opening in saidsecond flange, hook means extending downwardly of said second flangebeing adapted to engage said pin means of said first assembly in amanner whereby said second flange may be rotated away from, and be at anangle to, said first flange or, conversely, rotated toward, and beessentially parallel to, said first flange with said fluid conduit meansbeing in registration, independent supporting means for each of saidassemblies, and means for fastening together and unfastening saidflanges when in essentially parallel rela- 7 tionship, the center ofgravity of said second assembly being located at a point such that uponunfastening the flanges with the assemblies suspended from saidindependent supporting means the flange of said second assembly willrotate away from said first flange and said assemblies readilydisconnected.

4-. A device according to claim 3 wherein said first and second flangeseach are provided with a plurality of openings therethrough, a fluidconduit means affixed at one end thereof to each flange in fluid flowrelationship with each opening, the location of each opening in oneflange being in alignment with an opening in the other flange when saidflanges are in essentially parallel relationship.

5. The device according to claim 3 wherein said means for fasteningtogether and unfastening said flanges comprises bolt and nut means, saidflanges being provided with mating apertures therein adapted for passageof said bolt means.

6. The device according to claim 3 wherein said hook means comprises apair of opposed plates having one portion of each aflixed to oppositeportions of said second flange and which extend longitudinally withrespect to said second flange and terminating in a pair of integralaligned hooks.

7. The device according to claim 3 wherein a centrally located dowel isaifixed to the face of said first flange opposite that to which saidfluid conduits are aflixed and wherein said second flange is providedwith an aperture passing therethrough which mates with said dowel whensaid flanges are fastened together.

8. A device for connecting and disconnecting a plurality of fluidconduits comprising a pair of separable assemblies, the first of saidassemblies in turn comprising a framing means, a first flange mounted onsaid framing mean and provided with a plurality of openingstherethrough, a plurality of fluid conduits affixed at one end thereofto said first flange in fluid flow relationship with said openings insaid first flange, means aflixed to one end of said framing means forengaging said framing means with a supporting means and pin means havingaligned axes mounted on either side of said framing means, the axes ofsaid pin means being transverse to the longitudinal dimension of saidframing means, parallel to the face of said first flange and spaced fromsaid first flange in a longitudinal direction with respect to saidframing means opposite said means for engaging said framing means with asupporting means, the second of said assemblies comprising a secondflange adapted to engage said first flange, said second flange beingprovided with openings therethrough corresponding to the openings insaid first flange and adapted for alignment with said openings in saidfirst flange, fluid conduits aflixed at one end thereof to said secondflange in fluid flow relationship with said openings in said secondflange, means aflixed to one edge of said second flange for engagingsaid second flange with a supporting means, a pair of spaced hook meansafiixed to said second flange extending downwardly from the edge thereofopposite to said means for engaging said flange with the supportingmeans, said hook means being adapted to removably engage said pin meansof said first assembly in a manner whereby upon such engagement of saidhook means about said pin means said second flange is easily positionedin essentially parallel relationship with said first flange such thatsaid openings in said flanges mate with each other, gasket meansprovided between said first and second flanges and means for readilyfastening together and unfastening said flanges.

9. A device for connecting and disconnecting a plurality of fluidconduits supplying a liquid jacketed lance for blowing molten metal Witha gas comprising a pair of separable assemblies, the first of saidassemblies comprising a framing means, said gas supplying lance mountedat one end of said framing means and a first flange mounted at the otherend of said framing means, said first flange being provided with threeopenings therethrough, a fluid conduit aflixed at one end thereof tosaid first flange and in fluid flow relationship with each of saidopenings, each of said fluid conduits being connected to said lance, oneof said conduits being connected in fluid flow relationship with a gaspassage in said lance, the other two conduits being connected in fluidflow relationship with the liquid jacket of said lance, one of saidlatter conduits serving as a liquid supply, the other as a liquidreturn, means for engaging said framing means with a supporting meansaflixed to the end of said framing means opposite that on which saidlance is mounted, and pin means having aligned axes mounted on eitherside of said framing means, the axes of said pin means being transverseto the longitudinal dimension of said framing means, parallel to theface of said first flange, and spaced from said first flange in thedirection of said lance, the second of said separable assembliescomprising a second flange adapted to engage said first flange and beingprovided with three openings therethrough corresponding to the openingsin said first flange and adapted for alignment with said openings insaid first flange, a fluid conduit aflixed at one end thereof to saidsecond flange and in fluid flow relationship with each of said openings,one of said fluid conduits supplying gas to said lance and accordinglybeing affixed in fluid flow relationship with the proper opening in saidsecond flange to supply gas to the conduit aflixed to said first flangewhich is connected to the gas passage in said lance, the other two fluidconduits supplying and returning liquid to and from the liquid jacket ofsaid lance and corresponding to the respective conduits aflixed to saidfirst flange for supplying and returning liquid to and from said jacketof said lance, means aflixed to one edge of said second flange forengaging said second flange with a supporting means, a pair of spacedhook means aflixed to said second flange and extending downwardly fromthe edge thereof opposite to said means for engaging said flange withthe supporting means, said hook means being adapted to removably engagesaid pin means of said first assembly in a manner whereby uponengagement of said hook means with said pin means said second flange iseasily positioned in essentially parallel relationship with said firstflange such that the corresponding openings in said flanges mate witheach other, gasket means provided between said first and second flangesand means for readily fastening together and unfastening said flanges.

10. The device according to claim 9 wherein expansion joint means areprovided between said fluid conduits affixed to said first flange andsaid lance.

11. The device according to claim 10 wherein hose couplings are mountedon said fluid conduits affixed to said second flange and hoses areaflixed to said hose couplings.

12. A device for connecting and disconnecting fluid conduit meanscomprising a pair of separable assemblies, the first of said assembliescomprising a first flange provided with at least one openingtherethrough, fluid conduit means affixed at one end thereof to saidfirst flange in fluid flow relationship with said opening and pin meansin spaced relation to, and below, said first flange, the second of saidassemblies comprising a second flange provided with at least one openingtherethrough corresponding to, and adapted for alignment with, theopening in said first flange when the flanges are in essentiallyparallel relationship, fluid conduit means affixed at one end thereof tosaid second flange in fluid flow relationship with said opening in saidsecond flange, hook means extending downwardly of said second flangebeing adapted to engage said pin means of said first assembly in amanner whereby said second flange may be rotated away from, and be at anangle to, said first flange or, conversely, rotated toward, and beessentially parallel to, said first flange with said fluid conduit meansbeing in registration, independent supporting means for suspending eachof said assemblies, and means for fastening together and unfasteningsaid flanges when in essentially parallel relationship.

13. A device for connecting and disconnecting flexible fluid conduitmeans comprising a replaceable first assembly and a second assembly,said replaceable first assembly comprising a first flange provided withat least one opening therethrough, flexible fluid conduit means aflixedat one end thereof to said first flange in registration with saidopening, and first assembly pin means, said replaceable first assemblybeing supported by said second assembly during operation in a mannerwhereby said first flange is in a substantially vertical position, afirst assembly suspension means positioned above and independentlysuspending said first assembly during connection to and disconnectionfrom said second assembly in a manner whereby said first flange is in asubstantially vertical position, said second assembly comprising asecond flange which is provided with at least one opening therethroughcorresponding to, and adapted for alignment with, the opening in saidfirst flange when said flanges are in essentially parallel relationship,flexible fluid conduit means aifixed at one end thereof to said secondflange in registration with said opening in said second flange, andsecond assembly hook means, a second assembly suspension meanspositioned above and suspending said second assembly in a manner wherebysaid second flange is in a substantially vertical position duringoperation and is positioned at an angle with the vertical duringconnection to and disconnection from said first assembly, and means forfastening together and unfastening said flanges when in essentiallyparallel relationship, said second assembly hook means being adapted torernovably engage said first assembly pin means in a manner whereby saidsecond flange may be rotated away from, and be at an angle to, saidfirst flange or, conversely, rotated toward, and be essentially parallelto, said first flange with said flexible fluid conduit means being inregistration, the center of gravity of said second assembly beinglocated at a point such that upon unfastening the flanges, with saidreplaceable first assembly being suspended from said first assemblysuspension means and said second assembly being suspended from saidsecond assembly suspension means, said second flange will rotate awayfrom, and be at an angle to, said first flange so that said assembliesmay be readily disconnected by relative movement of said suspensionmeans.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS1,493,221 Northrup May 6, 1924 FOREIGN PATENTS 793,655 Great BritainApr. 23, 1958 Patent No, 3 Ol3,788 December 19 1961 Ernest Ea Hajek eta1,

It is hereby certified that ent requiring correction and that correctedbelow.

error appears in the above numbered patthe said Letters Patent shouldread as In the grant line 2, and in the heading to the printedspecification line 4, name of co=inventor for "Ilya L, Krettinger".,each occurrence, read Ilya L. Krettingen Signed and sealed this 1st dayof January 1963,

(SEAL) Ade-a:

ERNEST w. SWIDER AVI LADD Attesting Officer Commissioner of Patents

